Systems and devices for providing lift assistance for a surgical procedure

ABSTRACT

Systems and devices oriented in a compact manner provide lift assistance to a spar of a surgery table for hip, leg-related surgeries, or generally lower limb related orthopedic procedures. The compact device does not impede the radiolucency of the spar below the patient&#39;s hip, trochanter, or femur.

PRIORITY

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/817,053 of the same title filed Mar. 12, 2020 and claims the benefitof priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/817,483 of the sametitle filed Mar. 12, 2019, under U.S.C. § 119, the entire contents ofeach which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Technological Field

The present application relates generally to systems and devices used insurgical procedure, and more specifically to systems and devices forproviding lift assistance for hip-related surgeries or lower limborthopedic procedures.

SUMMARY

The invention relates to systems and devices that do not impede theradiolucency of a spar or an articulating limb support below thepatient's hip, trochanter, or femur, and provide lift assistance to suchspar or the articulating limb support.

Exemplary embodiments described herein have innovative features, nosingle one of which is indispensable or solely responsible for theirdesirable attributes. Without limiting the scope of the claims, some ofthe advantageous features will now be summarized.

The inventive concepts disclosed herein offer superior control andaccess to the operative site that provide assisted movement of theanatomy for numerous orthopedic surgical procedures, for example,including but not limited to Anterior Approach Total Hip Arthroplasty(AATHA), fracture reduction, hip fracture; tibial fracture; acetabular &pelvic fracture; femur fracture; thoracic & lumbar spine; hiparthroscopy & resurfacing. The systems and device provide improvedimaging area with unobstructed views and facilitate positioningrequirements for a range of patients, while providing intuitive andergonomic controls that are designed for both patient and staff safetythat aid in simple and assisted articulation.

The systems and devices disclosed herein are oriented in a compactmanner such that components are distal to the spar, which is proximal tothe patient's hip. One skilled in the art may appreciate that referenceto spar herein may equivalently be referred to, or correspond to, forinstance, an articulating limb support or an articulating lower limbsupport. Such compact design does not impede the radiolucency of thespar below the patient's hip, trochanter, or femur. Additionally, thecompact design includes a swing arm that further aids in articulation ofthe spar and the accompanying limb.

These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the presentdisclosure, as well as the methods of operation and functions of therelated elements of structure and the combination of parts and economiesof manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and the appended claims with reference to theaccompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification,wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in thevarious figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that thedrawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only andare not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. Asused in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of “a,”“an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearlydictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in conjunction withthe appended drawings, provided to illustrate and not to limit thedisclosed aspects, wherein like designations denote like elements.

FIG. 1A is a side view of the system including a surgery table and legsupport spar device in accordance with some embodiments of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 1B is a side view of a patient on the surgery table illustrated inFIG. 1A with a limb of the patient coupled to the leg support spardevice for performing surgical procedure on the patient.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lift assistance device employed with asurgery table as illustrated in FIG. 1A for providing lift assistance toa spar supporting a patient's limb during a surgical procedure.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the lift assistance device coupledto a spar mount assembly, as shown in FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of the lift assistance device coupledto the spar mount assembly, as shown in FIG. 2 .

FIGS. 5A-5C are different actuation positions of the lift assistancedevice without being coupled to the spar mount assembly according to anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the lift assistance device coupled tothe surgery table according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6B is a closer view of the lift assistance device illustrated inFIG. 6A.

FIGS. 7A-7C are perspective views of engaging a spar to a spar mountassembly and locking the same in place according to an exampleembodiment.

FIGS. 8-12 illustrates perspective views of the device according toanother example embodiment.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate the method of engaging a spar to a spar mountassembly, wherein the spar being coupled to a lift assistance deviceillustrated in either FIGS. 2-3 or FIG. 8 , and the spar mount assemblybeing coupled to a surgery table.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate different perspective views of the liftassistance device coupled to brake handle, user grip, and articulationjoint that are coupled to a respective spar.

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate different perspective views of the system withrespective spars being coupled to lift assistance device illustrated ineither FIGS. 1A-B, 2-3 or FIG. 8 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosedherein are described more fully hereinafter with reference to theaccompanying drawings. This disclosure can, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to any specificstructure or function presented throughout this disclosure. Rather,these aspects are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. Based on the teachings herein, one skilled in the art wouldappreciate that the scope of the disclosure is intended to cover anyaspect of the novel systems, apparatuses, and methods disclosed herein,whether implemented independently of, or combined with, any other aspectof the disclosure. For example, an apparatus may be implemented or amethod may be practiced using any number of the aspects set forthherein. In addition, the scope of the disclosure is intended to coversuch an apparatus or method that is practiced using other structure,functionality, or structure and functionality in addition to or otherthan the various aspects of the disclosure set forth herein. It shouldbe understood that any aspect disclosed herein may be implemented by oneor more elements of a claim.

Although particular aspects are described herein, many variations andpermutations of these aspects fall within the scope of the disclosure.Although some benefits and advantages of the preferred aspects arementioned, the scope of the disclosure is not intended to be limited toparticular benefits, uses, and/or objectives. The detailed descriptionand drawings are merely illustrative of the disclosure rather thanlimiting, the scope of the disclosure being defined by the appendedclaims and equivalents thereof.

It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the disclosure aredescribed in terms of a specific sequence of steps of a method, thesedescriptions are only illustrative of the broader methods of thedisclosure, and may be modified as required by the particularapplication. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary or optional undercertain circumstances. Additionally, certain steps or functionality maybe added to the disclosed embodiments, or the order of performance oftwo or more steps permuted. All such variations are considered to beencompassed within the disclosure disclosed and claimed herein.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in thedrawings and foregoing description, such illustration and descriptionare to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. Thedisclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations tothe disclosed embodiments and/or implementations may be understood andeffected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimeddisclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and theappended claims.

FIGS. 1A-1B illustrate an embodiment of a system including a surgerytable with at least one spar coupled thereto. One skilled in the art mayappreciate that reference to spar herein may equivalently be referredto, or correspond to, for instance, an articulating limb support or anarticulating lower limb support. As illustrated, in FIG. 1B, a patientundergoing a particular surgery will have his or her leg positioned in atraction boot 1, 2 that is coupled to a respective spar. Further, asillustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B, the system includes brake handles 3, 4; usergrips 5, 6; and articulation joints 7, 8 that are coupled to therespective spar. As illustrated, at least two spars extending from thesurgery table are shown, wherein each respective spar includes its ownrespective brake handle, user grip and articulation joint. The open bootdesign provides sustained traction during the procedure for a range offoot sizes. A conveniently located ratchet provides quick, securepositioning with additional heel strap support. The quick releaseratchets enable easy removal of the patient's foot from the tractionboot 1, 2, and a screw lock makes the traction boot 1, 2 easy to attachand remove from the traction device, thereby providing a system thatprovides simple articulation. This system enables one person to havecontrol of the slide, traction and rotation of the traction boot 1, 2with one hand and fluid movement of the leg spar with the other. Itallows for complete focus on the patient, and a full range of motionwithout interference from the equipment. The articulation joints 7, 8may be tubular structures that provide fine traction and rotation to thetraction boot 1, 2 about the patient's tibia.

The systems and devices illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B provide almostlimitless positioning options, to create the optimum vantage point forsurgeons, all with the confidence of two hands. The systems and devicesinclude safety locks that engage in order to prevent and avoiduncontrolled or unintended movements as the spar brake handles 3, 4 areengaged. Stated differently, the user may engage or actuate the brakehandles 3, 4 to lock a respective spar 111 in position with respect tothe surgery table. Likewise, the rotation axis may be unlocked torotate, and thereafter relocked via a knob, which is on top side of thetraction joints 7, 8. In certain embodiments, the fine tractionautomatically locks in place as the user adjusts it by rotating anon-back drivable lead screw using the handle at the extreme distal endof the traction assembly. One skilled in the art will appreciate thatactuation of brake handles 3, 4 to lock spar in position may be eitherdone manually or automatically.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2-4 , an embodiment of a lift assistance device100 is discussed in detail. The lift assistance device 100 may be usedwith the system 1000 illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B above such that the liftassistance device 100 may be employed with the surgery table and thespars shown in FIGS. 1A-1B. The lift assistance device 100 providesassisted movement to a user or an operating technician as he/she liftsthe spar 111 with or without the limb of the patient attached thereto.FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the device 100 that may beemployed with a surgery table illustrated in FIG. 1A for purposes ofproviding lift assistance to a spar supporting a patient's limb during asurgical procedure. The device 100 includes a spring device 101, a swingarm 104, a joint mount 102, a joint housing 106, and a mount connector112 (shown in FIG. 5A) that engages or is received within an opening orcavity in a spar mount assembly 103.

One skilled in the art would appreciate that spring device 101 may be aflexible, elastic device, or alternatively a rigid device that mayinclude reciprocating pumps, gas or air compressors and pneumaticcylinders, magnetic pumps, tension/extension spring, compression spring,torsional spring, wire/coil spring, flat spring, among other similarmechanisms. The spring device 101 may transfer force from expending gasor air in cylinder via a piston rod; connecting rod; helical, spring,coiled, non-coiled, or flat springs, or other cylindrically shapeddevices such that stored mechanical energy may be transferred betweencomponents. Alternatively, the spring device 101 may include hydraulicsmechanism that operates through the force of liquid pressure such thatvia the hydraulics mechanism, mechanical movement is produced bycontained, pumped liquid, through cylinders moving pistons.

In certain embodiments, the spring device 101 is preloaded with at least450 pounds (lbs) of force when in the extended position (illustrated inFIGS. 5B-C). In other embodiments, the spring device 101 may bepreloaded with a force between 450 and 685 pounds (lbs) as ittransitions between fully extended to fully compressed positions. As thespring device 101 is compressed the force increases by at least 1.52times, to a max of 685 lbs. In still other embodiments, the springdevice 101 may be preloaded with a force between 250 and 800 pounds(lbs). By nature of the spring device 101 providing force, the springdevice 101 reduces the effort needed to lift a spar 111 supporting apatient's leg by at least 50%. In other embodiments, the spring device101 reduces the effort needed to lift a spar 111 supporting a patient'sleg in a range of from 43% to 72%. In still further embodiments, thespring device 101 reduces the effort needed to lift a spar 111supporting a patient's leg in a range of from 20% to over 100%.

Still referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first joint illustrated by thejoint housing 106 and ball member 108 and the second joint illustratedby ball member 101-1 and spring joint housing 105 are shown as ball andsocket joints. For example, the joint housing 106 comprises a cavity,illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 , wherein the cavity is configured to receive aball member 108 that is extending from the joint mount 102. One skilledin the art may appreciate that the second joint coupling the springdevice 101 and the joint housing 106 includes the same degree of freedomas the first joint and/or spar 111. However, the first joint and thesecond joint may be other types of joints as well, including planarjoint, hinge joint, pivot joint, condyloid joint, saddle joint orball-and-sock joint. The joints may include combinations of any of theaforementioned joints in order to achieve one or two or more degrees offreedom.

In certain embodiments, the device 100 includes a proximal end 100A anda distal end 100B (with respect to the spar 111). As illustrated in FIG.2 , the joint housing 106 is on the proximal end 100A of the device 100(connects to the spar 111) and the joint mount 102 is on the distal end100B of the device 100. The joint mount 102 further includes a mountconnector 112 (illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C) distally extending away fromthe joint mount 102. The joint mount 102 is coupled to the joint housing106 comprising a first joint. In addition to these features, the device100 includes spring device 101 that is positioned below and extends fromthe joint mount 102 to the joint housing 106. That is, the spring device101 extends from about the proximal end 100A of the device 100 to thedistal end 100B of the device 100.

In one embodiment, the mount connector 112 being configured to couplewith a spar mount assembly 103, and maintain alignment of the jointmount 102 and the spring device 101 with the spar mount assembly 103while the joint housing 106 transitions between the first and secondpositions, and as the spar 111 moves in at least two degrees of freedom.

The spring device 101 having a first end and a second end. The first endof the spring device 101 connected to the joint housing 106 by a secondjoint, comprised of the spring joint housing 105 and the ball member101-1. And, wherein the second end of the spring device 101 is connectedto the joint mount 102. Further, the spring device 101 is configured toactuate the joint housing 106 between a first position (shown in FIG.5A) and a second position (shown in FIG. 5B). As illustrated, the firstposition corresponds to a compressed position of the spring device 101and the second position corresponds to an extended position of thespring device 101. In one embodiment, the first and second jointscomprise ball joints, or alternatively a rotary joint of at least onedegree, and the joint housing 106 provides at least two degrees offreedom to the spar 111.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the spring device 101 isconnected to a swing arm 104 on the distal end 100B of the device 100and to a spring joint housing 105 at the proximal end 100A of the device100. The spring joint housing 105 is coupled to and extending from thejoint housing 106. Whereas, the swing arm 104 is coupled to an arm 109,which in-turn is coupled to the joint mount 102, as further discussedbelow in relation to FIGS. 3-4 . In certain embodiments, the swing arm104 includes a first end and a second end, the first end of the swingarm 104 attached to the second end of the spring device 101, and thesecond end of the swing arm 104 attached to the joint mount 102 via anarm, the swing arm 104 capable of actuating from a non-extended positionwhen the joint housing 106 is between its first and second positions, toan extended position upon the joint housing 106 reaching the thirdposition, wherein the joint housing 106 reaches a third position uponthe swing arm 104 reaching the extended position and the spring device101 reaching the extended position.

Next, referring to FIG. 3 another perspective view of the liftassistance device 100 coupled to a spar mount assembly 103, as shown inFIG. 2 , is shown. Further details illustrated in FIG. 3 include a ballmember 108, a latch 107 and a lever 110 (further discussed with respectto FIG. 4 ). As noted above, the joint mount 102 is coupled to or mateswith the joint housing 106. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , thejoint housing 106 includes a cavity therein that receives a ball member108 extending from the joint mount 102. Such ball member 108 ridesagainst a fixed cup (not shown), is received in the cavity of the jointhousing 106 and allows the joint housing 106 to pivot vertically asshown in FIGS. 5A-5C, which in-turn allows spar 111 (shown in FIGS.6A-6B) to achieve vertical displacement from a ground surface to acertain height above the ground, in addition to allowing the spar 111 topivot horizontally. Stated differently, the spherical ball member 108rides against a fixed cup on the proximal end of the joint housing 106.The joint housing 106 also includes a floating brake cup (not shown)that is proximal to the spar 111. The floating brake cup is linearlyadjustable. The spherical ball member 108 is connected to the jointmount 102, which in-turn mates with the spar mount assembly 103. Thejoint housing 106 configured to be coupled to a distal end of the spar111. The spar 111 being capable of supporting at least one limb of apatient during the surgical procedure. The spring device 101 and thejoint mount 102 being distal to the joint housing 106 relative to thespar 111.

The vertical movement of the joint housing 106 results in providing liftassistance to the user by applying a vertical force to the spar 111.Such functionality is achieved by having the spring device 101, attachedto the joint mount 102, act against the joint housing 106, therebyresulting in lifting the spar 111 upwards as the joint housing 106rotates or pivots about the ball member 108 positioned in the cavityformed in the joint housing 106. This lift creates a countering forcethat at least partially neutralizes the applied moment load of the spar111 itself with or without the additional weight of the patient.

In one embodiment further illustrated in FIG. 3 , the spring jointhousing 105 extends from the joint housing 106 and is coupled with thespring device 101, wherein a ball member 101-1 extending from the springdevice 101 mates with the spring joint housing 105. Such matingconfiguration allows for the joint housing 106 to move between differentpositions as the spring device 101 is actuated from a compressedposition (i.e., first position), to an intermediate position (i.e.,second position), and finally to a fully extended position (i.e., athird position), as shown in FIGS. 5A-5C. As illustrated in FIG. 3 , theball member 101-1 is received within a cavity formed in the spring jointhousing 105, which permits the spring joint housing 105 to pivot andin-turn have the joint housing 106 pivot with respect to the ball member108 received in the cavity therein. FIG. 3 further illustrates a latch107 coupled to an arm 109, which in-turn is coupled to the joint mount102. These features will be further discussed below in reference to FIG.4 .

Next referring to FIG. 4 , another perspective view of an embodiment ofthe device 100 coupled to the spar mount assembly 103, as shown in FIG.2 , is illustrated. This view illustrates the orientation of the swingarm 104 with the arm 109, which thereon includes a latch 107. The latch107 rests on top of the arm 109. In order to disengage the spar mountassembly 103 from the mount connector 112, and in-turn disconnect thedevice 100 from the spar mount assembly 103, which is connected to thesurgery table, a user may either actuate a lever 110 coupled to the sparmount assembly 103, or alternatively actuate the latch 107 by pushing upon the latch 107 that in turn will engage with lever 110 in order tounlock or disengage the device 100 from the spar mount assembly 103. Oneskilled in the art would appreciate that the lever 110 includes aninternal mechanism (not shown) that provides a locking mechanism suchthat the mount connector 112 may snap fit into the spar mount assembly103. The actuation of the lever 110 causes the mount connector 112 to bepulled away, or alternatively disconnect, disengage, or dismount fromthe spar mount assembly 103.

Next, embodiments shown in FIGS. 5A-5C will be discussed whichillustrate different actuation positions of the device 100 betweenfirst, second and third positions. One skilled in the art willappreciate that the spring device 101 acts between the joint mount 102,and the joint housing 106. In one embodiment, the spring device 101, ispreloaded to approximately at least 450 pounds when fully extended(shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C), which may be the nominal force for a fullyextended spring device 101. The force increases as the spring device 101is compressed from an intermediate position (FIG. 5B), or alternativelyfully extended position (FIG. 5C), to a fully compressed position (FIG.5A). The entire mechanism of the spring device 101 and first joint beingdistal to the spar 111 itself, and thus such configuration of the device100 has no effect upon the x-ray imaging zone. In other words, the spar111 includes a flange coupled to the joint housing 106, wherein thejoint housing 106, joint mount 102, the first joint and the springdevice 101 are distal to the metal flange relative to the spar. Thepositioning of the joint mount 102, the joint housing 106 and the springdevice 101 with respect to the flange and the spar itself causes noeffect on x-ray imaging and does not impede radiolucency of the spar111. Because all these features are distal to the flange in relation tothe spar 111, these features are not in the field of view when imaginge.g. the leg of the patient adjacent to the spar 111. In certainembodiments, the spar 111 itself is made of carbon fiber or anothermaterial that does not impede radiolucency and allows images to be takenof the patient's leg while on the table, e.g. from an x-ray device.

In certain embodiments, the spring device 101 provides positive lift fora user as the spar 111 is raised and/or lowered through the clinicallyapplicable range of motion (approximately +14 degrees to approximately−36 degrees). If the spar 111 needs to be raised higher (up toapproximately +28 degrees), the mechanism may include a swing arm 104that enables the joint housing 106 to be raised further past the secondposition that corresponds to full extension of the spring device 101.That is, the first portion of the joint housing 106 corresponds to aspar angle of about −36 degrees and the second position of the jointhousing 106 corresponds to a spar angle of about 14 degrees, and thethird position of the joint housing 106 corresponds to a spar angle ofabout 28 degrees. One skilled in the art will appreciate that theaforementioned angle measurements are with respect to an x-axis in thesame plane as the surface of the surgery table such that the x-axis runsparallel to the surface of the surgery table.

In certain embodiments, the movement between the second and thirdposition by movement of the swing arm 104 is not assisted, and in otherembodiments, it is assisted. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5C, swing arm104 includes two bolts, which in certain embodiments are shoulder boltswhich are clevis pins that assist in their rotation. Swing arm 104rotates with respect to the spring device 101 and with respect to thearm 109. In certain embodiments, the swing arm moves with one degree offreedom such that the spring device 101 remains parallel to e.g. themount connector 112 throughout the movement of the spring device 101 andswing arm 104. The swing arm 104 allows the joint housing 106 to beraised vertically to the third position while having a spring device 101of a shorter length than would otherwise be necessary. Stateddifferently, in FIG. 5A, the spring device 101 is fully compressed whilethe swing arm 104 is fixed or in a non-extended position. In thisconfiguration, the spar 111 is down at approximately −36 degrees withrespect to the plane of the surgery table. With respect to FIG. 5B, inthe intermediate position (the second position of the joint housing106), the spring device 101 is fully extended while the swing arm 104 isfixed or in a non-extended configuration. In this configuration, thespar 111 is about 14 degrees with respect to plane of the surgery table.And, finally, in FIG. 5C, the spring device 101 is in a fully extendedposition while the swing arm 104 is also in an extended position. Suchextended position of the swing arm 104 is achieved by having the swingarm 104 rotate about a joint with respect to arm 109. The swing arm 104is coupled to the arm 109 via a clevis pin or other joint that allowsthe swing arm 104 to rotate from a fixed position to a non-fixed or anextended position. In this configuration the spar 111 is about 28degrees with respect to the plane of the surgery table. The actuation ofthe swing arm 104 is unassisted, or alternatively the actuation of theswing arm 104 is assisted, for example, by a pivoting joint using a linkmechanism, cam mechanism, gears, springs and other similar mechanisms.The link mechanisms may include two or more moving links, slider-crankmechanism, or crank and piston mechanism. The cam mechanism may includerotating cam coupled with a translating or rotating following. Gears mayinclude rack and pinion mechanism, ordinary gear trains, and planetarygear train. For certain embodiments where the swing arm 104 isunassisted, once the user lifts the spar 111 beyond the second position,the spring device 101 provides no additional lift assistance to theuser, requiring the user to provide any force necessary to move thejoint housing 106 and attached spar 111 from second position to thirdposition. In certain embodiments, the spring device 101 is stillpreloaded to −450 pounds (approximately); however, when fully extended,the spring device 101 contacts its internal hard stop.

Stated another way, the swing arm 104 includes a first end and a secondend. The first end of the swing arm 104 being attached to the second endof the spring device 101, and the second end of the swing arm 104 beingattached to the joint mount 102 via an arm 109. In certain embodiments,the connection of the swing arm 104 is a rotational joint with respectto the spring device 101 and the arm 109. The swing arm 104 beingcapable of actuating from a non-extended position (illustrated in FIGS.5A-5B) to an extended position (illustrated in FIG. 5C) upon the jointhousing 106 reaching the second position (illustrated in FIG. 5B). Thejoint housing 106 reaches a third position (illustrated in FIG. 5C) uponthe swing arm 104 and the spring device 101 reaching their respectiveextended positions. Stated in another way, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the joint housing 106 in the first position correspondsto the spring device 101 being fully compressed; the joint housing 106in its second position corresponds to the spring device 101 in its fullyextended position; and the joint housing 106 in the third positioncorresponds to the spring device 101 in the fully extended position andthe swing arm 104 in an extended position as shown in FIG. 5C. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate that the joint housing is operable ina range of positions from first to second position, and from second tothird position. In certain embodiments, the joint housing may bemaintained at a position in the range between such positions, forexample, by use of brake, for example, the floating brake cup discussedherein.

Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, one skilled in the art would appreciatethat as the spring device 101 goes from a fully compressed configuration(FIG. 5A) to a fully extended configuration (FIG. 5C), and thereby thejoint housing 106 pivots about the ball member 108 and the spring jointhousing 105 pivots about the ball member 101-1, the mount connector 112and the joint mount 102 maintain their alignment with respect to eachother, and potentially the spar mount assembly 103 if the same iscoupled and engaged with the mount connector 112. That is, joint mount102 maintains alignment with the spar mount assembly 103 while the jointhousing 106 pivots between the first and second positions. In certainembodiments, the first and second joint comprise ball joints, oralternatively a rotary joint of at least one degree, wherein the secondjoint couples the spring device 101 and the joint housing 106 includes acavity therein, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 2 . The jointhousing 106 capable of pivoting with respect to the ball member 108positioned in the cavity of the joint housing 106. The pivoting of thejoint housing 106 between the first and second positions is caused byactuating the proximal end of the spar 111, the distal end of the spar111 capable of being maneuvered by a user from proximal end of the spar111. In addition to the vertical movement of the spar 111 that isassisted by the spring device 101, the user is also able to move thespar horizontally through movement of the joint housing 106 with respectto the ball member 108 and the ball member 101-1, allowing the spar 111to move in at least two degrees of freedom.

In certain embodiments, the spar 111 connected to the joint housing 106moves in at least two degrees of freedom from a single axis defined bythe first joint, which in certain embodiments includes a ball joint, oralternatively a rotary joint of at least one degree. The spar 111 andconnected device 100 does not require multiple axes defined by multiplejoints in order to achieve at least two degrees of freedom of the spar111.

Next referring to FIGS. 6A-6B, perspective views of an embodiment of thedevice 100 coupled to the surgery table according to an exampleembodiment are illustrated. FIG. 6B is a closer view of FIG. 6A whichillustrates the device 100, with accompanying different components(i.e., joint housing 106, joint mount 102, spring device 101, and mountconnector 112 (not shown)) being engaged or coupled with the spar mountassembly 103. Additionally, FIG. 6B illustrates a locking or tighteningknob 114 coupled to the surgery table and the device 100; and annotation“A” representing a fitting end of the spar 111. This fitting end “A”defines the distal end of the x-ray imaging zone that does not have anymetal present.

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrates perspective views of engaging an embodiment of aspar 111, to a spar mount assembly 103 and locking the same in place.FIGS. 13-15 illustrate similar views of a spar 111 illustrated in FIGS.1A-1B. One skilled in the art would appreciate that the spars 111 aredesigned to be removable from the surgery table to make storage andtable transportation easier. An assembly of the spar 111 and the sparmount assembly 103 may be achieved by first having the spar 111 engagewith the spar mount assembly 103. As shown in FIG. 7B, the spar mountconnector 112 is positioned to be placed into the spar mount assembly103. The spar mount assembly 103 is affixed to the surgery table andincludes a cavity therein to receive the mount connector 112. The mountconnector 112 engages and mates with the spar mount assembly 103 inorder to hold the spar 111 in place relative to the surgery table.Further illustrated in FIG. 7B, the spar mount assembly 103 includes alever 110 disposed underneath, which may be actuated by a user torelease the spar 111, if needed.

Once the spar 111 is in place and locked into the spar mount assembly103, a locking knob 114 may be actuated by turning the locking knob 114clockwise until tight. The spar 111 may be maneuvered up and down whiletightening the locking knob 114 to ensure the spar 111 is securely andfirmly positioned. Additionally, the user may rotate the respectivebrake handle 3, 4 in order to have a floating brake cup (notillustrated) to be driven linearly into a spherical ball, therebycreating sufficient holding torque to support the spar 111 from droppingto the ground. When the respective brake handle 3, 4 is rotated in thecounterclockwise direction, the floating brake cup releases and the spar111 is free to be adjusted up or down or outwards/inwards(abduction/adduction).

FIGS. 8-12 illustrates perspective views of another example embodimentof the device 100 is shown. According to this example embodiment, unlikethe latch 107 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 , the latch 107 illustrated inFIG. 8 is embedded in arm 109 in a slot mechanism fashion. That is,instead of being on top of the arm 109 as illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 , thelatch 107 is in a slot mechanism form that is built inside orincorporated in the arm 109 itself. Further, as illustrated, annotation“A” represents a fitting end of the spar 111. This fitting end “A”defines the distal end of the x-ray imaging zone that does not have anymetal present. FIGS. 8-12 illustrate an embodiment of the device 100similar to the embodiment of the device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 and5A-5C, wherein mechanism, structural configuration and orientation ofthe device 100 are consistent between the two embodiments, with onedifference being with respect to latch 107 feature as noted above.

FIGS. 13-15 illustrate the method of securing an embodiment of thedevice 100 along with a spar 111 coupled thereto to a surgery table. Inparticular, these figures are similar to what is discussed above withrespect to FIGS. 7A-7C and the accompanying disclosure in regards tomounting a spar 111 to a spar mount assembly 103 coupled to the surgerytable. However, unlike FIGS. 7A-7C, the spar 111 being mounted to thespar mount assembly 103 in FIGS. 13-15 includes an embodiment of thedevice 100 coupled thereto. This device 100 may be either deviceillustrated in FIGS. 2-3 or alternatively device illustrated in FIG. 8 .With the attachment or coupling of the device 100 to the spar 111, asshown in FIGS. 13-15 , provides the user with assisted articulation inmaneuvering the spar 111.

FIGS. 16-20 illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment ofthe device 100 coupled to a respective brake handle 3, 4, a user grip 5,6, and a respective articulation joint 7, 8 that are coupled to arespective spar 111, in a similar fashion as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1Babove. In particular, the brake handle 3, 4, a user grip 5, 6, and arespective articulation joint 7, 8 being coupled to the respective spar111 as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C, now include and embodiment of thedevice 100 at distal end of the respective spar 111. The device 100 maybe either device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 or alternatively device100 illustrated in FIG. 8 .

FIGS. 21-24 illustrate different perspective views of an embodiment ofthe system as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B above with the addition of anembodiment of the device 100, wherein the device 100 may be eitherdevice 100 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 or alternatively device 100illustrated in FIG. 8 . In other words, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the system comprising the surgery table, the leg supportspar device, and components thereof, shown in FIGS. 1A-B correspond torepresentations illustrated FIGS. 21-24 . FIGS. 21-24 particularlyhighlight the inventive concepts disclosed herein pertaining to interalia, the brake handles 3, 4; user grips 5, 6; and articulation joints7, 8. Moreover, FIGS. 23-24 incorporate features illustrated in FIGS.1A-B such as, foot pedal, a support member extending perpendicular tothe floor, and a hook-shaped engagement member extending from thesupport member to engage with in support of a user's thigh, forinstance. As illustrated, two different spars 111 are illustrated thatassist in lifting a patient's respective limb (i.e., right leg or leftleg) in order to perform surgery, such as hip related surgeries or lowerlimb orthopedic procedures. Each of the respective spars are independentof each other such that their movement can be controlled independentlyby a user or technician. One spar may be in a downward position whereasthe other spar may be in an upward position. The respective spar 111 isconnected to a respective spar mount assembly 103 positioned below thesurgery table such that each respective spar 111 has its own respectivespar mount assembly 103. This allows independent movement and control ofeach one of the respective spars 111. One skilled in the art wouldappreciate that although two spars 111 are illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1Cand FIGS. 21-24 , additional spars may be mounted to the surgery tablefor example; to support other limbs such as arms or patients head.

It should be noted that in certain embodiments the downward moment loadof the spar varies substantially with the linear position of thetraction assembly, and the weight of the patient's leg. Therefore, it ispossible that a spring device will not provide neutral compensation inall cases, however, the effort from the user to raise and lower the sparwill be reduced. In certain embodiments, the force of the gas spring canbe preset to provide as much lift as desired.

It should be noted that the use of particular terminology whendescribing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not betaken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to berestricted to include any specific characteristics of the features oraspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated.Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof,especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated,should be construed as open-ended as opposed to limiting. As examples ofthe foregoing, the term “including” should be read to mean “including,without limitation,” “including but not limited to,” or the like; theterm “comprising” as used herein is synonymous with “including,”“containing,” or “characterized by,” and is inclusive or open-ended anddoes not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps; theterm “having” should be interpreted as “having at least”; the term “suchas” should be interpreted as “such as, without limitation”; the term‘includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”;the term “example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof, and should beinterpreted as “example, but without limitation”; adjectives such as“known,” “normal,” “standard,” and terms of similar meaning should notbe construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or toan item available as of a given time, but instead should be read toencompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be availableor known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like“preferably,” “preferred,” “desired,” or “desirable,” and words ofsimilar meaning should not be understood as implying that certainfeatures are critical, essential, or even important to the structure orfunction of the present disclosure, but instead as merely intended tohighlight alternative or additional features that may or may not beutilized in a particular embodiment.

Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction “and” should notbe read as requiring that each and every one of those items be presentin the grouping, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expresslystated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with theconjunction “or” should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivityamong that group, but rather should be read as “and/or” unless expresslystated otherwise. The terms “about” or “approximate” and the like aresynonymous and are used to indicate that the value modified by the termhas an understood range associated with it, where the range may be ±20%,±15%, ±10%, ±5%, or ±1%. The term “substantially” is used to indicatethat a result (e.g., measurement value) is close to a targeted value,where close may mean, for example, the result is within 80% of thevalue, within 90% of the value, within 95% of the value, or within 99%of the value. Also, as used herein “defined” or “determined” may include“predefined” or “predetermined” and/or otherwise determined values,conditions, thresholds, measurements, and the like.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for providing lift assistance for anarticulating limb support of a surgery table, comprising: a joint mountcoupled with a joint housing comprising a first joint; and a springdevice having a first end and a second end, the first end of the springdevice connected to the joint housing by a second joint, the second endof the spring device connected to the joint mount, the spring deviceconfigured to actuate the joint housing in a range between a firstposition and a second position, the first position corresponding to acompressed position of the spring device, the second positioncorresponding to an extended position of the spring device; wherein, thejoint housing configured to be coupled to a distal end of a spar, thespar being capable of supporting at least one limb of a patient for asurgical procedure, the spring device and the joint mount being distalto the joint housing relative to the spar.
 2. The device of claim 1,further comprising: a swing arm having a first end and a second end, thefirst end of the swing arm attached to the second end of the springdevice, and the second end of the swing arm attached to the joint mountvia an arm, the swing arm capable of actuating from a non-extendedposition when the joint housing is between its first and secondpositions, to an extended position upon the joint housing reaching thethird position, wherein the joint housing reaches a third position uponthe swing arm reaching the extended position and the spring devicereaching the extended position.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein thefirst joint and the second joint comprise a rotary joint of at least onedegree, and the joint housing provides at least two degrees of freedomto the spar.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the spring device ispreloaded with at least 450 pounds of force when in the extendedposition.
 5. The device of claim 3, wherein the joint mount furthercomprises: a mount connector, the mount connector being configured to:(i) couple with a spar mount assembly, and (ii) maintain alignment ofthe joint mount and the spring device with the spar mount assembly whilethe joint housing transitions between the first and second positions,and as the spar moves in two degrees of freedom.
 6. The device of claim5, wherein the spar mount assembly includes a lever, and actuation ofthe lever causes the mount connector to disengage from the spar mountassembly.
 7. The device of claim 5, wherein the joint mount maintainsalignment with the spar mount assembly while the joint housing pivotsbetween the first and second positions.
 8. The device of claim 5,wherein the joint housing comprises a cavity therein, the cavityconfigured to receive a ball member extending from the joint mount. 9.The device of claim 5, wherein the second joint coupling the springdevice and the joint housing includes a cavity therein.
 10. The deviceof claim 8, wherein the joint housing pivots with respect to the ballmember positioned in the cavity of the joint housing.
 11. The device ofclaim 7, wherein the pivoting of the joint housing between the first andsecond positions is caused by actuating a proximal end of the spar, theproximal end of the spar capable of being maneuvered by a user.
 12. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the spar includes a metal flange coupled tothe joint housing, wherein the joint mount, the first joint and thespring device are distal to the metal flange relative to the spar. 13.The device of claim 11, wherein positioning of the joint mount, thejoint housing and the spring device with respect to the metal flangecauses no effect on x-ray imaging and does not impede radiolucency ofthe spar.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the spring device reducesthe effort needed to lift a spar supporting a patient's leg by at least50%.
 15. The device of claim 2, wherein the first position of the jointhousing corresponds to a spar angle of about −36 degrees and the secondposition of the joint housing corresponds to a spar angle of about 14degrees, and the third position of the joint housing corresponds to aspar angle of about 28 degrees.
 16. The device of claim 2, wherein theactuation of the swing arm is unassisted.
 17. The device of claim 2,wherein the actuation of the swing arm is spring-assisted.
 18. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein the spar moves relative to a single axis. 19.The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of the spring device isconnected to the joint mount by a device selected from a hinge and aclevis pin.
 20. The device of claim 5, wherein the second joint couplingthe spring device and the joint housing comprises the same degree offreedom as the first joint.
 21. A device for providing lift assistancefor an articulating limb support of a surgery table, comprising: a jointmount coupled with a joint housing comprising a first joint; a springdevice having a first end and a second end, the first end of the springdevice connected to the joint housing by a second joint, the second endof the spring device connected to the joint mount, the spring deviceconfigured to actuate the joint housing in a range between a firstposition and a second position, the first position corresponding to acompressed position of the spring device, the second positioncorresponding to an extended position of the spring device; and a swingarm having a first end and a second end, the first end of the swing armattached to the second end of the spring device, and the second end ofthe swing arm attached to the joint mount via an arm, the swing armcapable of actuating from a non-extended position when the joint housingis between its first and second positions, to an extended position uponthe joint housing reaching the third position; wherein, the jointhousing configured to be coupled to a distal end of a spar, the sparbeing capable of supporting at least one limb of a patient for asurgical procedure, the spring device and the joint mount being distalto the joint housing relative to the spar, and the joint housing reachesa third position upon the swing arm reaching the extended position andthe spring device reaching the extended position.